Thieves steal computers, mobile phone at crime prevention trade fair

HONG KONG -- Thieves snatched two computers from a Hong Kong trade fair, a particularly brazen act considering that the victims were security companies showing off the latest crime-stopping technology.

The thieves stole two laptop computers worth $2,500 from the Asia Securitex 2004 trade show on Wednesday, police spokeswoman Carrie So said.

"If you can't expect good security here, where can you expect it?" exhibitor Shinah Lunty was quoted as saying in the South China Morning Post newspaper. Lunty told the newspaper that her mobile phone, worth $260, was also stolen.

Hong Kong police inspector Bob White said he suspected a mainland China gang targeted the exhibition because it was seen as a place for "easy pickings," the newspaper reported.